The Federal Controlled Substances Act, 1970 classifies Cannabis Sativa under schedule one substance. The latter refers to substances or compounds that are not acceptable for medicinal value. The Federal Controlled Substances Act provides that the intake of cannabis has several negative consequences to the human body. The intake of cannabis leads to loss of memory among the substance users; smokers tend to have temporary memories or short term memories or tend to forget minor chores in their daily schedules. The users lack coordination, proper judgment abilities, and result to being non-decision makers from the dullness and slowness of the user’s senses (Aronson 2009, pp. 246).
Smoking the substance causes chest problems among its users: These include infections such as the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which mostly leads to loss of lives. In fact, research indicates that cannabis users are more at a health risk as compared to tobacco or cigarette smokers. This is because cannabis smokers hold their breath for longer durations thus leaving more smoke or tar than cigarettes (Aronson 2009, pp. 244). Cannabis users are result to paranoia where they tend to be fearful, avoid close relations and always suspicious. They become anxious and nervous leading to emotional immaturity conditions. They also become demoralized in performing their duties or participating in any event. This results to poor performances, grades, and to some extent quitting.
Cannabis also known as Bhang Marijuana or weed is a plant which originated from Central Asia. Its use stretches back to 10,000 BC in Romania (Spanish Word Histories and Mysteries 2007, pp 142). The plant’s growth in Asia was as a result of its economic advantage in making hemp fabrics, its seeds being used for bird seeds, and its buds, used for medicinal and recreational purposes. The plant’s medicinal value was also discovered in China about 5,000 years ago for curing female weaknesses, rheumatism, malaria, gout, and absent-mindedness among many others.
In the Mediterranean region, the use hemp as an intoxicating substance was a popular practice in social settings (Spanish Word Histories and Mysteries 200, pp 143). Dioscordes, a physician in this region discovered the male and the female species of cannabis: The female species (Kannabis Emeros) was used for pain relieving and in inducing menstruation while the male species (Kannabis Agria) used for muscular ailments.
Recent studies on the use of Cannabis by the US Institute of Medicine (IOM), 1999 reveal that smoking marijuana is beneficial to the terminal ailments. IOM indicated that the substance is useful in reducing or treating pain, appetite loss and nausea caused by AIDS and advanced Cancer. The study also indicated that the substance acts as a sedative, which assists in reducing anxiety, and this acts as a therapeutic for the terminal ailments.
This leaves any scholar with an urge to reveal the mystery behind the use of Cannabis, Marijuana or Weed: Ever since its discovery the substance has been used as an intoxicant, which aids in inducing sleep, treating nausea, and reducing pain. In some extreme cases, the substance is used for weight loss, reducing fever, treating dysentery and recent discoveries treating AIDS. The controversy is on the extent to which the use of Cannabis has been considered as illegal in many countries around the world.
The substance is prohibited in most countries, and its usage is illegal. However, researcher, scientists, doctors, pharmacists, and clinical aids have been on the fore front in advocating its use. In some countries, doctors advice their patients to use moderate amounts of Cannabis before they eat as these increases ones appetite and eases the digestive system (Aronson 2009, pp. 246). However, most governments prohibit its use from the negativities associated with its intake. The Federal Government, for instance, prohibits the use of Cannabis from the mental related issues, which result from its use. The users of the substance are also said to become addictive, and this has increased the number of people in psychiatric clinics in an effort to rehabilitate from using the substance.
The mystery behind the use of Marijuana lies on the drug substance that compounds the element. The concern behind it remains on whether to refer to it as a drug or just a substance. Referring to Cannabis as a drug has been translated differently by different organizations. The Federal Government, for instance, refers to Cannabis as a drug implying a harmful substance while the Medical Association refers to it as a drug implying its medicinal value. Its level of addiction creates a controversy as to whether its impact is more psychological rather than being physical.
As the use of Cannabis continues to be perceived as illegal by many nations, its advantages to the human body system should not be ignored: Physicians’ advice that governments should not overlook the benefits of Cannabis Sativa as they prohibit its use. There is more to the use of Cannabis in the human body than what is perceived in taking the substance. Physician’s advice that Cannabis should be taken in the right quantities to minimize on its negative impacts; however, the right quantity of intake has never been established by these physicians.
Reference.
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Aronson, J K. Meyler's Side Effects of Herbal Medicines. Amsterdam: Elsevier, 2009. Print.
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pg 246pg
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Spanish Word Histories and Mysteries: English Words That Come from Spanish. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2007. Print.
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